Denis Bakhtov Makes Steffen Kretschmann Quit in Nine

By Mark Vester

At the Sporthalle in Alsterdorf, Hamburg, Germany, Denis Bakhtov (33-5, 22KOs) made Steffen Kretschmann (14-2, 13KOs) quit in the ninth round of their rematch. Last year Bakhtov knocked Kretschmann out in the first round. Bakhtov wins the PABA heavyweight title.

Kretschmann was coming forward and looking for a big shot in the first round. Bakhtov stayed back and was blocking the shots. Not much action from either. A close second round as the action was starting to heat up. Bakhtov was breathing a bit heavy but seemed fine. Kretschmann put his punches together well and Bakhtov fired back. The pace was more measured and closer in the third and fourth rounds. They were both on guard and looking for knockout punches but Bakhtov was doing the better work and landing the better shots.

Bakhtov with some good punches to begin the fifth. Kretschmann was mixing it up. There were periods where he took chances and other periods where he played it very safe. Every time Bakhtov got close and let his hands go, Kretschmann grabbed him very quickly.

Kretschmann using his long jab and body shots in the first minute of the sixth. Bakhtov having no problems getting inside to throw some body shots of his own. And a series of body shots would send Kretschmann down to his knees for a knockdown. Bakhtov went for the finish but it appeared he lost a point for hitting Kretschmann on the back. The crowd booed the call.

Kretschmann recovered by the seventh. He was using his size and reach to keep Bakhtov away. Bakhtov walked right into a few punches at the start of the eight round. Kretschmann began to work him over in the corner. Bakhtov went back to the body with his hooks and fired combos to the head.

Kretschmann held often at the start of the ninth. Bakhtov let his hands go and scored another knockdown as Kretschmann was trapped in the corner. Then in a strange scene, Kretschmann just turned around and quit as Bakhtov was trying to finish him. Kretschmann told the referee he was unable to continue and the ref stopped the fight.